top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british
medical
scientific
idioms and phrases

rib

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

noun

one of a series of curved bones that are articulated with the vertebrae and occur in pairs, 12 in humans, on each side of the vertebrate body, certain pairs being connected with the sternum and forming the thoracic wall.

a cut of meat, as beef, containing a rib.

ribs, spareribs (def. 2).

Architecture.

any of several archlike members of a vault supporting it at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces, or dividing these surfaces into panels: including ogives and tiercerons.
any of several molded members or moldings, including ridge ribs and liernes, and on the surface of a vault accenting the ridges or dividing the surface into panels.

something resembling a rib in form, position, or use, as a supporting or strengthening part.

a structural member that supports the shape of something: an umbrella rib.

Nautical. any of the curved framing members in a ship's hull that rise upward and outward from the keel; frame.

a stiffening beam cast as part of a concrete slab.

a primary vein of a leaf.

a vertical ridge in cloth, especially in knitted fabrics.

a ridge, as in poplin or rep, caused by heavy yarn.

a wife (in humorous allusion to the creation of Eve. Genesis 2:21–22).

Ceramics. a scraper for smoothing clay being thrown on a potter's wheel.

a metal ridge running along the top of the barrel of a firearm to simplify aligning the sights.

a longitudinal strip of metal joining the barrels of a double-barreled gun.

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

to furnish or strengthen with ribs.

to enclose as with ribs.

to mark with riblike ridges or markings.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rib

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English rib(b); cognate with Old Frisian rib, reb, Old Icelandic rif, German Rippe; akin to Russian rebró “rib,” Greek orophḗ “roof, ceiling”

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

rib·ber, nounrib·less, adjectiverib·like, adjective

Definition for rib (2 of 2)

rib²

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

to tease; make fun of.

Origin of rib

1925–30, Americanism; apparently short for rib-tickle (v.)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for rib

The ribbed khaki look could also came on sporty-looking trousers which tied at the ankles.
Chloé Spring/ Summer 2014: Modern Exoticism|Liza Foreman|September 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Netanyahu then ribbed Obama, saying, “You knew exactly when to come here, you knew we had elections.”
Live From the Holy Land … It’s the Obama and Bibi Show!|Eli Lake|March 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“We came from real studios,” Williams ribbed, as McHale joked around with the audience.
Behind the Scenes at ‘The Soup’: Joel McHale, Brian Williams & More|Kevin Fallon|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In a Tuesday interview, Wolf Blitzer ribbed the governor about whether the violent flick was appropriate for such young children.
Hunger Games: Mitt Romney Needs to Tap His Inner Katniss Everdeen|Michelle Cottle|March 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

A copper-colored, ribbed turtleneck peeked from beneath a knee-skimming navy coat.
Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten Kick Off Paris Fall 2012 Fashion Week|Robin Givhan|March 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sporangium cylindric; the calyculus small, granulose, ribbed and sulcate.
The Myxomycetes of the Miami Valley, Ohio|A. P. Morgan
This tube is ribbed all over, and has six large green teeth and six smaller green teeth round its mouth.
Flowers Shown to the Children|C. E. Smith
Thus at Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, there is a small square chancel with a ribbed vault.
The Ground Plan of the English Parish Church|A. Hamilton Thompson
Annual, longer auricles, and hair on the ribbed inrolled surface.
Grasses|H. Marshall Ward
She ribbed him so, that if I would ever speak to my husband that way we would not last long.
Warren Commission (9 of 26): Hearings Vol. IX (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for rib (1 of 2)

rib¹

/ (rɪb) /

noun

any of the 24 curved elastic arches of bone that together form the chest wall in man. All are attached behind to the thoracic part of the spinal columnTechnical name: costa Compare true rib, false ribs, floating rib

the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

a cut of meat including one or more ribs

a part or element similar in function or appearance to a rib, esp a structural or supporting member or a raised strip or ridge

a structural member in a wing that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge and maintains the shape of the wing surface

a projecting moulding or band on the underside of a vault or ceiling, which may be structural or ornamental

one of a series of raised rows in knitted fabricSee also ribbing (def. 3)

a raised ornamental line on the spine of a book where the stitching runs across it

any of the transverse stiffening timbers or joists forming the frame of a ship's hull

any of the larger veins of a leaf

a metal strip running along the top of the barrel of a shotgun or handgun and guiding the alignment of the sights

a vein of ore in rock

a projecting ridge of a mountain; spur

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

to furnish or support with a rib or ribs

to mark with or form into ribs or ridges

to knit plain and purl stitches alternately in order to make raised rows in (knitting)

archaic to enclose with or as if with ribs

Derived forms of rib

ribless, adjectiveriblike, adjective

Word Origin for rib

Old English ribb; related to Old High German rippi, Old Norse rif reef 1

British Dictionary definitions for rib (2 of 2)

rib²

/ (rɪb) informal /

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

(tr) to tease or ridicule

noun

a joke or hoax

Word Origin for rib

C20: short for rib-tickle (vb)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for rib

rib

[ rĭb ]

n.

One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.

Scientific definitions for rib

rib

[ rĭb ]

Any of a series of long, curved bones extending from the spine and enclosing the chest cavity. In mammals, reptiles, and birds, the ribs curve toward the center of the chest and in most cases attach to the sternum (breastbone). There are 12 pairs of ribs in humans. See more at skeleton.

One of the main veins of a leaf.

Idioms and Phrases with rib

rib

see stick to the ribs.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

rib

noun

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Origin of rib

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

Definition for rib (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

Origin of rib

Example sentences from the Web for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (1 of 2)

noun

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

Derived forms of rib

Word Origin for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (2 of 2)

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

noun

Word Origin for rib

Medical definitions for rib

n.

Scientific definitions for rib

Idioms and Phrases with rib

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

rib

noun

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Origin of rib

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

Definition for rib (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

Origin of rib

Words related to rib

Example sentences from the Web for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (1 of 2)

noun

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

Derived forms of rib

Word Origin for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (2 of 2)

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

noun

Word Origin for rib

Medical definitions for rib

n.

Scientific definitions for rib

Idioms and Phrases with rib